Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup

Date: 1 Oct 1987
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup

George Matanzima, brother of Kaiser Matanzima and leader of the Transkei Bantustan, was toppled by his military and forced to flee from the Transkei after a bloodless coup led by Defence Force Chief Major-General Bantu Holomisa. The army denied taking part in any coup and announced that ministers who resigned were not forced to resign. Holomisa also announced that Matanzima did not run away from Transkei but was on sick leave in Port Elizabeth. The coup came when Transkeians were anticipating a commissioned report on high-level government corruption implicating George Matanzima. Further reading: ANC article titled 'The Rise and Fall of Bantu Holomisa.

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01(1987). " Iron-man George Matanzima flees T'Kei (sic) ", Weekly Mail: Vol 3. No 38. p.1

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012710

South African History Online (2011) 'Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012710 (Accessed: 23 July 2026).

South African History Online, Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012710, (accessed 23 July 2026).

"Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012710. Accessed 23 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Transkei Defense Force topples Transkei Bantustan leader George Matanzima, but denies coup." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012710.